Electrically-operated track switch



' April 20', 192

- 1,581,610 s. s. STOLP ELECTRICALLY OPERATED TRACK SWITCH Filed Dec. 12 1923 2 She'ets-S heet 1 April 20 1926.- 1,581,610

s. S."STOLP ELECTRICALLY OBERATED TRACK SWITCH Filed Dec. 12, 1925 2 Sheet s-Shee t 2 dip (fa 5 -5'TOL]? Patented Apr. 20, 1926.

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SAMUEL S. STOLP, OF IVEANSFIELD, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TU THE OHIO BRASS COMPANY,

OF MANSFIELD, OHIO, A OGRPGBATION QF NEW ELEClItICALLY-GPERATEED TRACK SWITCH.

Application filed December 12, 1923. Serial No. 680,152.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, SAMUEL S. Show, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at liflansiield, in the county of Richland and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in an ElectricallyOperated Track Switch, of which the following is aspecification.

My invention relates to electrically and aiiitomatically operated track switches.

One object of my invention is to produce a system in which the track switch tongue may be operated from a car by the operator applying power on or power oh? the motors as hereinafter described.

Another object of my invention is to pro vide a system which will prevent the burning out of the mechanism for operating the switch tongue.

Another object of my invention is to produce a system which will supply current to the track switch operating mechanism for a predetermined time regardless of the position oi the trolley wheel or current collector with respect to the system.

A still further object or my invention is to provide a system which, after having been properly operated, cannot be changed by the same car under conditions: hereinafter described.

A still thirther object oi? my invention is to provide a system which will avoid the breaking of any currents by the current collector which may be of sutlicient magnitude to cause a destructive arc.

In the drawings accompanying this specification:

Fig. l is a schenirltic view showing the car circuits taken into account in the described operation of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a schematic drawing =howing the various parts and circuits composing my in vention in a normal condition. the switch tongue 4:, however, may be in any of its operable positions.

Fig. 3 is a schematic drawing showing the relation of the partsthe instant the current collector on the car comes into operative relation with the system with power off.

Fig. is a schematic drawing showing the relation of the parts composing my system tier the current collector has come into o erative relation with the system for a pre determined length of time with power ed.

13 5 is aschematic drawing showing the arrangement of the parts when the current collector comes in operative relation with the system with power on.

I depend for the operation of my system the collector engages the pan P with powor on to operate the switch tongue in the opposite direction, usually the curve direction. A car is usually provided with heaters l-l, light-s L and air compressors F, also motors M and a controller C operated by the car operator controlling the current to the motors. 'lhe current collector W is mounted upon the car by the trolley pole 'l. The currentflowing through the op paratus H, L and F is not under the control of the controller C, and as this current may amount to considerable I take this fact into consideration in designing certain parts of the system, as hereinafter described. hen the controller C in the cit position no current will flow through the motors M, but when the controller is in the on position a heavy current will flow through the motors M. l

Referring to Fig. 2 the contact pan P is mounted in fixed relation to the trolley conductor 1 and comprises two parallel contact members 2 and 3 which are normally insulated from each other, one being electrically connected to the trolley conductor 1 and the other normally out of electrical engagement with the trolley conductor. The contact members are so arranged that they may be bridged by the current collector and when so bridged the collector will be out of engagement with the trolley conductor. When the collector engages the contact members 2 and 3 the member 3 is electrically connected to the trolley conductor 1 and current is free to flow through the collector W, trolley pole T and the other car circuits to ground. It the collector engages the pan with power on current will flow through the motors M. It the collector engages the pan with power off no current will flow through the motors M. I employ an electrically operated track switch S having 'a switch tongue 1, two operating solenoids 5 and 6, a plunger 7 and a connecting rod 8. The solenoids 5 and 6 have one terminal connected to a common ground connection 9. VVhe-n the solenoid 5 isenergized the plunger 7 f is drawn inwardly and being connected to the switch tongue 4 by the rod 8, the tongue is moved to the straight ahead position as shown in Fig. 3, and when the solenoid 6 is energized the plunger 7 is drawn outwardly and the switch tongue is moved to the curve position as shown in Fig. 2. l

I also employ an electrically operated switch A having a coil 10, usually of heavy wire, as it must conduct current to the motorslvl when the car engages the pan with power on, and also it the car stands with a collector in engagement with the pan P and then starts. One terminal of the coil 10 is connected to the trolley conductor 1 by the conductor 11 andthe other terminal is connected to the contact member 2 by the conductor 12. The number of turns in the coil 10 is so adjusted that the auxiliary car currents in the apparatus H, L and F will not sufliciently energize the coil 10 to raise the arm 13, but will be sufliciently energized by the current flowing through the motors M to raise the arm 13.

The switch A. is provided with two con tacts 141 and and the contact 1& is normally in engagement with the arm 13. From the contact 14: to the remaining terminal of the solenoid 5 extends the conductor 16. From the contact 15 to the remaining terminal of the solenoid 6 are the conductors 17 and 18 with a holding coil 19 interposed in series therewith so that when current flows through the solenoid 6 the coil 19 will be energized sufficiently to hold the arm 13 in engagement with the contact 15 as long as current flows through solenoid 6 regardless of whether current continues to flow through the coil 10.

I also employ electrically operated switches B and O. The switch B is provided with a coil 20 and the switch O is provided with a coil 21. These coils, as well as the coil 10, are provided with a magnetic core although the coils may be provided with a movable core secured to the armatures thereof if desired. One terminal of each coil 20 and 21 is connected together by the conductors 22 and 23.

The other terminal of the coil B is connected to the contact member 3 by the conductors 24 and 25 and the remaining terminal of the coil 21 is connected to the ground G by the conductor 26.-

Switches B and O are provided with normally open arms 27 and 28 respectively. The switch B is provided with two contact members 29 and 30. The contact member 29 is connected to the switch arm 13 by the conductor 31. Theswitch O is provided '1 by the conductor 35.

with a contact 32 which is connected to the contact by the c0nductors33 and 34. The arm 27 is connected to the trolley conductor A conductor 22 is connected to the arm 28 by the conductor 36 and the conductor 33 is connected to the conductor 25 by the conductor 37. The conductors 32, 36, 33, 37 and 25 form a shunt about the coil 20 when the arm 28 is closed or in engagement with the contact 32.

.When the contact members 2 and 3 are bridged by a collector with power oft current flows from the trolley conductor 1 through the coil 10 and its connections, through the current collector to contact member 3 and from there through the conductors 24-, 25, 22, 23 and 26 to ground, sinniltaneously energizing the coils 20 and 21 which are of relatively high resistance so as to give a small current flow. As soon as the coils 20 and 21 are energized the arms 26 and 28 are raised into engagement with their respective contacts. Current will now ilow from the trolley conductor 1 into the circuit 3]. and from there through the solenoid 5 to groundas the switch 13 is in engagei'nent with contact 1% unless the coil 10 is su'fliciently energized to pick the .same

up. Current flowing through the solenoid 5 will draw the plunger 7 inwardly and the switch tongue 4 to the straight ahead position. I prefer to adjust the 1.171111113111368 of switches B and G such that the armature 27 will close on its contacts first thereby directing current into the switch S as soon atter the collector engages the contacts as possible. As soon as the arm 28 engages its contact 32 a short circuit is placed about the coil 20, as already explained, and the coil 20 is deprived of current, but the current still flows through the coil 21. On the de-energization of the coil 20 the armature 27 will open, cutting oii' the flow of current to the switch S. The switch B is provided with a time lag factor first, due to the fact that it is energized and then short circuited and also by the proper spacing of the arm 27 with respect to its core when in the raised position, or I may employ a copper or brass sleeve about the coil to retard the release of the arm 27, as is well known, or I may employ other means to give the opening of the arm 27 a time lag so as to permit the flow of current to the switch S for a suiticient predetermined time to fully energize the solenoids 5 and 6.

The circuit also furnishes a current to the coil 21 to maintain the arm 28 closed as long as the arm 27 remains close d.

If the collector should pass over the pan at a very rapid rate and before thetime for the arm 27 to open, the circuit at would conduct curre .t to the coil 21 from the trolley conductor 1 by way of the switch B and maintain the switch O closed until the switch 13 opens. If in passing over the pan l? the car operator should unintentionally change his controller to power on before the switch B had opened the arm 13 would be brought into engagement with the contact and a false operation of the switch S brought about, but with the circuit leading from the trolley conductor 1 by way of the conductor 35, switch B, conductors 2k, 37 and El, an additional path will be provided for supplying current to the car other than the path through the coil and the current through the coil 10 would be reduced below an amount necessary to operate the coil 10 and a false operation of the switch S would not take place.

In other words, the coil 10 would be substantially short circuited- If the car operator desires to go straight ahead when ap )roaching a switch, he throws his controller to power oil with the intention of coasting over the contact pan P which is placed in advance of the switch S. WVhen the collector engages the pan P the coils and 21 are energized and the switches 13 and G closed and current will then flow through the solenoid 5 to ground, energizing the same and drawing the plunger 7 inwardly and the tongue t to the straight ahead position, all as shown in Fig. 3. the operator come to a stop with the col lector upon the pan the parts will assume the position shown in Fig. 4 after a predetermined time, that is, the switch B will open, and the switch C will remain closed and current will be cut oil from the switch When the operator starts his car, however, current will flow through the coil 10, energizing the same and picking up the armature 13, but the switch B is not affected, therefore current will not flow through the switch to change the same. 13 will remain open-as long as the switch U remains closed. As soon as the collector has sit the pan P the switch C will open, returning the system to normal as shown in Fig. 2.

If the car operator desires to take the curve he will pass the pan with power on and when the collector engages the pan the coil 10 will be energized thereby bringing the arm 13 into engagement with the contact 15 and at the same time the switches B and C will be closed and current will flow through the solenoid 6, energizing the same, drawing the plunger 7 outward and moving the switch tongue l to the curve position, all as shown in Fig. 5. If the collector has not passed the pan by the time set for the switch B to open, the same will open, however, and remain open as long as the switch C remains closed.

The holding coil 19 operates to maintain the arm 13 in engagement with the contact '15 so that current will flow through the coil Should The switch 6 for a predetermined time should the operator turn his controller to power oil before he has passed the pan. As the arm 13 cannot drop until the switch 13 is open, a false operation of the switch cannot take place should the operator inadvertently move his COIlt1Oll8l', flS-juSi; explained- I g It will be evident to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made in the arrangement of the parts herein described, but which will still fall within the scope of my invention.

1 claim 1. A switcn operating system comprising in combination, a trolley conductor, a con tact pan to be engaged by a current collector,

an electrically operated track switch, a switch A to control the direction of movement of the track switch, a switch B to control current flow to the track switch and normally open, a switch G to control the opening of the switch B, windings on the switches B and C connected in series and having connections to the pan and to the ground for operation when the collector engages the pan, a divided circuit from the trolley conductor to the track switch controlled by the switches A and B, a normally open circuit controlled by the switch C to shunt out the switch B after it has closet.

2. In a switch operating system, the combination of an electrically operated track switch, a switch operating circuit, a circuit changer to direct current into the track switch to automatically control its direction of operation, an electrically operated switch provided with an operating coil to control the circuit and electrically operated means provided with an operating coil in series with the other coil to shuntout the control switch.

3. In a switch operating system, the combination of an electrically operated track switch, a trolley conductor, a contact pan. a normally open circuit connecting the trolley conductor and the track switch, a normally open switch having a time lag in opening to control the said circuit and having operating means connected to the pan for operation in closing the said circuit and electrically operated means having its operating means in series with the operating means of the normally open switch to shunt out the said normally open switch aiter it has closed.

l. In a switch operating system, the combination of an electrically operated track switch, a trolley conductor, a contact pan provided with a pair of contact members to be engaged by a current collector, a normally open circuit derivingcurrent from the trolley conductor and connected to the track switch, an electrically operated switch to close the normally open circuit and means automatically operable to shunt out the said switch and provided with an operating coil,

the coil also operating to maintain the said shunt as long the collector engages the pan.

5. In a switch operating system, the combination of an electrically operated track switch, a trolley conductor, a contact pan provided with a pair or" contact members to be engaged by a current collector, a normally open circuit deriving current from the trolley conductor and connected to the track switch, an electrically operated switch having a retarded releaseto close the normally open circuit and means automatically operable to shunt out the said switch and provided with an operating coil, the coil also operating to maintain the. said shunt as long as the collector engages the pan.

6. A switch operating system comprising an electrically operated track switch, a trolley conductor, a pan provided with a pair of contact members to be electrically connected when engaged by a current collector, a circuit changing relay to control a pair of branch circuit-s leading to the track switch, a holding coil for the circuit changer deriving current from one of the branch circuits, an operating coil. for the circuit changer connected between the trolley conductor and one contact member, a; circuit leading from the trolley conductor to the circuit chamber, electrically operated means to control the last said circuit comprising a pair of cooperating switches each having an operating coil connected in series between the other contact member and the ground and operating to close the. said circuit when the collector engages the pan and to open the same fter a predetermined time after closing and to remain open aslongbas the collector engages the pan.

7. In a switch operating system the combination of, contact members, a trolley conductor to be engaged by a current collector, an electrically operated track switch, a circuit. to conduct current to the track switch, means to control the direction of operation ating coil deriving its operating current.

first from the contact members and then i'rom the trolley conductor while the 011'- cuit closer is closed.

8. A switch operating s stem com aris- L O J ing in combination, an electrically operated track switch, circuits and electrically operated means the 'et'or to operate the track switchto the position desired, a switch for first closing and then opening one of said circuits after a predetermined time when the device is in use so that a current collector will first close said circuit and later open the same to render the track switch operative during the time the said switch is closed, an operating coil tor the switch and electrically operated means having an operating coil c-onnectediin' series with the said coil to short circuit the said coil to render it non-effective after a predetermined time.

9. A switch operating system comprising i in ombination, an electrically operated track switch, an electrically operated means and circuits therefor to operate the track switch to the position desired, a control switch having an operating coil for first closing and then opening one of said circuits after a predetermined time when the device is, in use so that a current collector will first close said circuit and later open the same whereby the track switch is rendered operative during the time the said control switch is closed and means controlled by the current flowing through the said operating coil to short circuit the said coil to cause said control switch to open alter a predetermined time and remain open while a car is in cooperative relation to the system.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature SAMUEL S. STOLP. 

